the devil makes work for idle hands

the devil makes work for idle hands

proverb When one is unoccupied or has nothing to do, one is more likely to cause or get into trouble. The devil makes work for idle hands, so is it any surprise they started causing mischief after being left to their own devices for so long? We try to keep our kids busy with various jobs and activities during their summer break. The devil finds work for idle hands, after all.
See also: devil, for, hand, idle, make, work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

the devil makes work for idle ˈhands

(saying) people who do not have enough to do often start to do wrong: She blamed the crimes on the local jobless teenagers. ‘The devil makes work for idle hands,’ she would say.
See also: devil, for, hand, idle, make, work
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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